Mission Statement

Brightwood Education Campus strives to foster an environment that builds a pathway to college and career readiness by inspiring scholars to become lifelong learners, creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, compassionate human beings, and responsible citizens. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes respect, integrity, and excellence in teaching and learning. We are fully committed to working with each scholar, each family, and the greater Brightwood community to insure that all of our scholars reach their full potential.

History

The original Brightwood School was a two-story brick building built around 1897 at Brightwood Avenue (now Georgia Avenue) and Peabody Street. Some of the land was acquired from the Emory Chapel, and some of the land was condemned from numerous heirs of Betsy Butler. Only white students were allowed to attend the school. Other children attended the Military Road School nearby.

Construction of an extension began in mid-1895 and completed in early 1896. The extension increased the size of the school to eight rooms and cost $11,600. The sidewalk in front of the school was paved in 1902.

Two large fires, occurring simultaneously, severely damaged the school building 1912. The fires were discovered at 8 p.m., and it took several hours to extinguish them. Students were temporarily reassigned to nearby West School and Brightwood Park School while Brightwood School was repaired. Upon inspecting the site, the fire Marshall suspected arson immediately. One of the fires started under the teacher's desk in Miss H.K. Berne's classroom, and the fire Marshall and police detectives interviewed each of the thirty students in Miss Berne's class, but they could not determine who set the fire.

In 1923, the Manor Park Citizens Association passed a resolution requesting the building of a new school in the neighborhood, calling Brightwood Elementary School disgraceful and unsanitary in part because some boys had no other place to eat lunch than the lavatory.Three years later, Whittier School opened for children living in Manor Park.

In 1925, the House Appropriations Committee budgeted $275,000 to build a new sixteen-room building to replace the original school building. The plan for the new building included a gymnasium. Architect Waddy B. Wood designed the school. Construction bids were accepted in August 1925 and a contract was awarded to the lowest bidder the following month. The new 16-room school opened in September 1926. The old school building was converted into a junior high school for students in grades seven and eight.

Further improvements to the school were made in 2003.